Update on NV55PVL

[campbellab]

I sympathise with the officer. In an ideal world, the police would have the resources to deal with any breach of the law. Unfortunately, in these austere times, they can't.

You seem to contact the police on a fairly regular basis to report minor motoring offences. I can see why he has advised you to knock it on the head and leave it to the experts.

I can sympathise with the police, but if they dont have the resources to handle it then they should just say that instead of belittling the person reporting the crime. We wont be pursuing this due to resources and its the station's policy not to do x y and z.

Police officer thinks giving a warning is better so they think he is a nice guy? What a joke. I hate watching police camera action stuff when they keep calling the idiots 'mate'. Either Sir Ma'm or 'Get your ass on the floor before I pava you in the face' are appropriate ways to talk to the public imo

I do agree though that you probably dont want to be 'policing' it yourself i.e. by telling the guy to put it down. Could put yourself in a dangerous situation. Not worth it for that kind of offence especially when you are vulnerable on your bike.

I don't see whats wrong with reporting offences if you can clearly identify the offender from the footage and its clear cut what they're doing. Then its up to the police to prioritize their actions. And if they're so hard done by for time they shouldn't be babbling a response like the one given above.

 

[Slaav]

I have just watched the clip and honestly cannot believe that you bothered going to report this to the Police. Sorry, just my position on it!

Whilst I agree that texting (especially) is potentially lethal while driving a car, it is not my job to start reporting people and if we were to all do it, it won't belong before we are all up before the beak for some offence or other

 

[campbellab]

I have just watched the clip and honestly cannot believe that you bothered going to report this to the Police. Sorry, just my position on it!

Whilst I agree that texting (especially) is potentially lethal while driving a car, it is not my job to start reporting people and if we were to all do it, it won't belong before we are all up before the beak for some offence or other

So who's job isit to report crimes? And who are you to determine when a crime is worthy to be reported to the police?

Bob next door is beating on his wife again, but its ok they love each other...

Neighbours smoking weed again, and people keep coming to their door, but kids will be kids!

 

[Cycling Dan]

I can sympathise with the police, but if they dont have the resources to handle it then they should just say that instead of belittling the person reporting the crime. We wont be pursuing this due to resources and its the station's policy not to do x y and z.

Police officer thinks giving a warning is better so they think he is a nice guy? What a joke. I hate watching police camera action stuff when they keep calling the idiots 'mate'. Either Sir Ma'm or 'Get your ass on the floor before I pava you in the face' are appropriate ways to talk to the public imo

I do agree though that you probably dont want to be 'policing' it yourself i.e. by telling the guy to put it down. Could put yourself in a dangerous situation. Not worth it for that kind of offence especially when you are vulnerable on your bike.

I don't see whats wrong with reporting offences if you can clearly identify the offender from the footage and its clear cut what they're doing. Then its up to the police to prioritize their actions. And if they're so hard done by for time they shouldn't be babbling a response like the one given above.

Its not a warning letter he is giving or even the people he caught. its words of advise!
Simply a talk to.. Thats it.. to my understanding nothing on record but coppercyclists would have to confirm that.

 

[veloevol]

... no road safe or anything like that.... you have to see an officer and i simply dont bother as i dont have the time let alone the police, but i though this was warrant for my time.

So you're a busy lad but what made this incident warrant your time? IMHO taking a video like this, where you were not directly effected, directly to the police and expecting action is rather presumptive. It's wasting police time and your own in reporting it. This type of incident belongs on the web with the company notified, if you feel compelled.

 

[campbellab]

Its not a warning letter he is giving or even the people he caught. its words of advise!
Simply a talk to.. Thats it.. to my understanding nothing on record but coppercyclists would have to confirm that.

Ah that's my bad wording.

 

[Slaav]

So who's job isit to report crimes? And who are you to determine when a crime is worthy to be reported to the police?

Bob next door is beating on his wife again, but its ok they love each other...

Neighbours smoking weed again, and people keep coming to their door, but kids will be kids!

I think I should probably have expanded on my reasoning somewhat!

Man beating up a wife/girlfriend, I would step in and/or report it.

Seeing someone smoking a joint - video it and report it - NO CHANCE IN THIS WORLD.

Drug Den next door, would most likely report it as it would be one hell of a nuisance after a short while etc.

SOmeone overtaking me at 83mph on a motorway, would I report it? Would you???? (I know what I would do )

Videoing someone with their mobile in their hand and going to a Police station, NO CHANCE 9for me - some will disagree) espcially when I am paranoid about even checking who is callign me or call I have missed when driving; never answer it whilst not genuinely hands free. I do feel strongly about phone usage as I do see it all the time, but popping along and reporting it myself? (I don't wear my underpamts over my bib tights BTW) - It wouldn't even occur to me!

Oh well; don't expect you to agree with me but as you try to point out, where do you draw the line?

 

[Cycling Dan]

So you're a busy lad but what made this incident warrant your time? IMHO taking a video like this, where you were not directly effected, directly to the police and expecting action is rather presumptive. It's wasting police time and your own in reporting it. This type of incident belongs on the web with the company notified, if you feel compelled.

The fact it is stated in law it is illegal and i hate the fact people use phones and think its acceptable.
Not like a close pass which is open to debate.
The fact is i would assume there is overwhelming evidence to push for prosecution, however was unaware that due to me being a member of the public and the fact of age discrimination this diminishes the reporting.

 

[ianrauk]

Thing is, if there wasn't people like Cycling Dan to report these people then mobile phone use while driving would be much worse then it is now.

Would I report a driver using a mobile phone? No I wouldn't, I have other priorities and to be honest, I just can't be arsed. I am more a shouter & pointer at them.
But thank gawd for people like Dan, Gaz & Mikey who do have the gumption and drive to report these selfish peanuts. Someone needs to.

 

[Tommy2]

What about burglary, should you not report that because nobody is getting hurt physically, should we all wait until somebody is laid over the bonnet of the car bleeding to death before you report him for dangerous driving?

If the police don't have enough staff then they are never going to catch anybody, you would think they would appreciate members of the public ( the very people they are here to protect) reporting crime so they don't have to rely on being in the right place at the right time.

I don't go reporting every little thing to the police but if this guy per chance catches something on film then I see no reason why he shouldn't be able to report it and expect someone to get done as they would if caught by a police officer.

Maybe there should be some where you can email footage instead of going in to the station.

 

[veloevol]

The fact it is stated in law it is illegal and i hate the fact people use phones and think its acceptable.
Not like a close pass which is open to debate.
The fact is i would assume there is overwhelming evidence to push for prosecution, however was unaware that due to me being a member of the public and the fact of age discrimination this diminishes the reporting.

You do assume too much mate. You can't make the call, on the crime, the evidence or the punishment. It's not your job to do that, only if you are involved in an incident will your evidence be considered. You're a member of the public, who cycles with a camera for your own protection.

Where you need to concentrate your efforts is to help with changing people's perception of what's permissible on our roads.
Consider that perhaps you're in the culture change business not the law enforcement business.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Thing is, if there wasn't people like Cycling Dan to report these people then mobile phone use while driving would be much worse then it is now.

And your proof of this is?

Alan...

 

[campbellab]

I think I should probably have expanded on my reasoning somewhat!

Man beating up a wife/girlfriend, I would step in and/or report it.

Seeing someone smoking a joint - video it and report it - NO CHANCE IN THIS WORLD.

Drug Den next door, would most likely report it as it would be one hell of a nuisance after a short while etc.

SOmeone overtaking me at 83mph on a motorway, would I report it? Would you???? (I know what I would do )

Videoing someone with their mobile in their hand and going to a Police station, NO CHANCE 9for me - some will disagree) espcially when I am paranoid about even checking who is callign me or call I have missed when driving; never answer it whilst not genuinely hands free. I do feel strongly about phone usage as I do see it all the time, but popping along and reporting it myself? (I don't wear my underpamts over my bib tights BTW) - It wouldn't even occur to me!

Oh well; don't expect you to agree with me but as you try to point out, where do you draw the line?

My point was, crimes like domestic violence, drug use probably aren't reported in some areas, because it's no big deal, not my problem, or dont like the police. And these are the areas most people dont want to live. Which is the problem when people dont report crimes (and police unable to do anything effectively about it).

TBH if I did video someone on their phone, I wouldn't spend my time going into the police station to report it (as I would expect nothing would be done), but I have respect for someone who takes their time to try and make a difference. So I'm a bit hypocritical really! The ideal, however, is that decent members of society should be reporting crimes if its reasonable the police could follow up on them. By deciding not to we are doing the police's (and/or CPA's) job which is to judge and prioritize whether action should be taken.

I would definitely upload it if the police had a decent online reporting mechanism where you could post up videos for them to review.

83mph etc - you cant prove it even with video footage so no point reporting as police unable to do anything.

To suggest we'd all be up before a beak if we reported more stuff is daft - its obvious the police barely have the time to follow up stuff as it is, but I expect you were saying this more tongue in cheek

 

[campbellab]

You do assume too much mate. You can't make the call, on the crime, the evidence or the punishment. It's not your job to do that, only if you are involved in an incident will your evidence be considered. You're a member of the public, who cycles with a camera for your own protection.

Not reporting it is making the call and assuming too much. Reporting it lets the police make that call.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

How about the whole message, not just the first four words that supports you.
Very poor arguing skills

Sorry I was using your own selective answering technique

Alan...
p.s. This is a debate not an argument for some people, have you seen the Adam Sandler film Anger Management